What can I tow with my 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500

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4X4Steve

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Sep 7, 2008
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I have a 2000 silverado 4wd GVWR 6400; GAWR Front axle 3925; Rear axle 3750 w\3.73 axle ratio;  Max trailer #8500. It has Vortec 5300 w\tow package and Z71 suspension which someone told me was same suspension as 3/4 ton?  I live in Colorado Springs.  I am looking at the Fun Finder XT245 Toy hauler which is 27ft with Dry Wieght 4730 and GVWR 7840.  I will carry 2 ATV = #1300.  That leaves 1810 of cargo to max out to GVWR.  Hitch weight = #3890 and I will install the Equalizer sway control hitch. If the trailer weighs the max 7840 am I pushing the envelope with my truck.  Any help\personal experience will be appreciated.
 
The 8500 lb tow rating for that unit agrees with the Trailer Life tables for 2000.  However, you live in CO and I assume will be towing in the Rockies and the mountain and plateau west.  That gas engine it going to lose 3% of its rated HP for every 1000 feet above sea level.   I recommend taking a 20% safety factor in judges the towability of a given trailer GVWR.   

In short, keep your trailer GVWR to a maximum of 6800 lbs.

Your toy hauler is way out of the envelope -- unless you plan to move to Florida.
 
That trailer is going to weigh a lot more than the 4730 dry weight when you put the ATVs in. The brochure dry weight is typically 200-400 lbs lower than the "as delivered" weight, due to factory and dealer installed options, propane in the tanks, residual water in the fresh and holding tanks (even if the gauge reads empty).  You also have to allow for extra weight carried in the truck, which was not counted toward the tow capacity. Little things like the weight of the tow hitch, plus the wife, kids and dog too. In short, Carl's estimated 6800 lb limit is a wise one.

You stated the hitch weight at #3890 but that does not seem anywhere near right. And if it is, your trucks rear suspension will be badly overloaded. Dry hitch weight should be around 450-500 lbs and loaded it will likely be about 850-1000 lbs (10-12% of gross).

I also think you are going to find that Vortec 5300 to be pretty wimpy on those long western grades when loaded anywhere near the max. That's not a high torque engine and you need plenty of torque for hauling in the mountains.
 

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